Anti-aging Vitamins & Minerals

Your rate of aging is determined by a number of factors: your genetics; exposure to sunlight, which can promote cellular aging; and your lifestyle habits that affect cellular aging, such as smoking. Throughout your life, your cells accumulate small mutations and toxins, that can ultimately affect the functioning of your cells, leading to diminished tissue function and noticeable aging. A number of vitamins and minerals can help slow this process, acting as anti-aging nutrients within your body.

Vitamin A

One type of anti-aging vitamin is vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. This vitamin helps prevent cellular aging by interacting with free radicals, a type of chemical that can lead to genetic mutations that contribute to aging, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin C helps neutralize these chemicals, and therefore helps slow the rate of genetic mutations in your cells, hindering the aging process. You can increase your consumption of vitamin C through supplements, or by consuming oranges, papaya, watermelon and broccoli -- all good sources of the vitamin.

Vitamin E

Another anti-aging vitamin is vitamin E. In your body, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, helping to fight cellular aging. In addition, applying vitamin E-containing creams and lotions to your skin may help fight visible signs of aging on your skin. During the aging process, the skin can begin to appear rough, lose its elasticity and begin to develop wrinkles. Applying alpha-tocopherol -- one form of vitamin E -- can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, while also helping to smooth roughness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consume vitamin E in your diet, through consuming fish and olive oils, and use skincare products containing vitamin E to help fight aging.

Zinc

One type of anti-aging mineral is zinc, a nutrient found in oysters and crabmeat. According to the University of California, Berkeley, zinc plays a role in regulating cellular aging, a process called senescence. Zinc within your body helps your cells grow and develop properly, so they can contribute to healthy, functional tissue. As you age, the levels of zinc in your body decrease, and your tissue begins to lose the ability to maintain itself, leading to the effects of aging. Consume zinc from dietary sources or supplements to support your tissues' health, and help fight aging.

Selenium

Selenium -- another type of essential mineral -- may also help fight aging. Specifically, selenium can help against cellular aging that occurs in your brain, according to a study published in "Neurotoxicity" in 2010. As you age, your brain accumulates the toxic chemical methylmercury, which contributes to the aging process within your nervous system. Selenium can help neutralize methylmercury, preventing its toxicity and helping to slow the aging process. Consume sources of dietary selenium, such as Brazil nuts, crab meat and salmon, to help fight aging within your brain.